Anarcho Ride

Carmageddon!!!

Anarcho Ride is a new "racer" for the Atari STe by the ever-zealous Thomas Ilg of Laser Ball fame. Well, ignore what the screenshots show, this isn't actually a racer as such. Sure, it looks the part but it's more of a smash 'n grab - think Carmageddon where head-on collisions get you the points needed to go further and play extra levels.

This is fun but, at first, I found it difficult because avoiding the other cars is natural. Don't. When you're behind the wheel, the aim is to smash into every car you can - and why not shoot the ones you have missed using a missile. That sounds about right! Yes, it's silly and stupid but also pure mechanical violence! Totally insane gaming!!

The graphics are weirdly 80s in style and remind me of Crazy Cars and others from that era. Of course, the Atari STe produces a decent framerate and is very smooth. The only negative is that the car has no shadow, so it appears to "hover." The audio is outstanding, with DMA sound effects alongside stunning chip music by xFalcon.

If you're looking for a new racing game. Look elsewhere, this isn't a racer. This is a crazy, vicious crash 'em up, I guess you might say? Smashing stuff up is always excellent fun and Anarcho Ride proves that perfectly.

Download Anarcho Ride (+ expansions)

We're out for a nice quiet drive in the desert. Let's hope there's nobody on the road...

It looks like we're in the salt flats, and, oh no, there's a safe driver up ahead!

Now we're smashing through the lush landscape of what could only be England. Death on the roads!